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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Buried Treasure Exclusive Interview: Mel Rojas Jr.

In an effort to produce better and more unique content about the
Pittsburgh Pirates, Buried Treasure has reached out to members of the
Pirates organization for interviews. The response was awesome, starting
with our first volunteer, Pirates farmhand and pitcher Michael Colla.
Moving into the future, the hope is to have more interviews similar to
this one. This particular interview is with our second volunteer, Mel Rojas Jr. It's after the
jump. Enjoy!

Buried Treasure: In 2010, the
Pirates draft you with their third round pick. What thoughts are
going through your head? Were you at all worried about signing with
the Pittsburgh Pirates considering their recent history of being a
losing organization?

Mel Rojas Jr.: No, I didn't have
any worries. I was actually excited to sign with the Pirates.
Everybody expected for me to demand a 7-figure signing bonus, but I
signed for basically slot money. I didn't care too much about the
bonus, I was just excited to join the Pirates and play professional
baseball.

BT:Talking
about you as a player, from a scouting perspective, give me your
personal take on your strengths and weaknesses.

MR: Well, I'm a
5-tool player. I just need to keep on developing my ability to make
the most of my tools.

BT: Do you have a
favorite part of baseball? Being at the plate, out in the field, or
on the basepaths?

MR: Yes, two
actually. I love being in the box hitting and being in centerfield.

BT: From a
statistical standpoint, there are two items that standout, at least
in my eyes, that could be issues going forward. First, strikeouts.
They aren't out of control and you've improved each year since you've
turned pro, but can you talk about addressing the issue or, I guess,
not addressing the issue? Do the Pirates have a plan in place to
help you with that, or is it just, let your strengths shine and
outweigh any potential issues?

MR: Well, the
strikeouts come from bad plate discipline and bad pitch selection. I
have been working on it this offseason and I also feel like I'm more
mature as a hitter now. I'm sure I'm going to keep getting better at
those areas of my game.

BT:The second
issue is handedness splits. In your pro career, you've hit
right-handed pitchers pretty significantly better than left-handed
pitchers. As a switch-hitter, that would suggest you are better
batting left-handed. Has there been any discussion about scrapping
being a switch-hitter?

MR: Not at all. I
love switch hitting, therefore I'm working hard this offseason to get
better. I know I can get better, so I will.

BT: Speaking about
switch-hitting, when did you first learn to hit from both sides of
the plate? What's the story behind it?

MR: Well, I
started switch-hitting when I was 7 years old. In little league, one
day my coach asked me to try hitting from the left side. I tried it
and hit a line drive base hit so ever since then, I've been a
switch-hitter.

BT: Thus far,
you've been a one level per year guy. Will that trend continue in
2013? Have the Pirates indicated to you where they want you to start
this coming season or do you have any idea on your own?

MR: Well, I
haven't talked to them about it yet, so I don't know, but I would
like to keep that trend going. I know I'm ready to play wherever they
send me though.

BT: What have you
been doing this offseason to prepare for the season?What are your
goals for this season?

MR: Well, I've
been working on stuff I felt I need to work on. My goal for right
now is to develop all my tools because I know that when I develop
them, I will be what everyone is expecting me to be. That's not
bragging either, lol.

BT: Of the home
parks you've played in during your time in the Pirates organization,
do you have a favorite one?

MR: I really liked
State College, but unfortunately the Pirates are no longer affiliated
with the Spikes.

BT: Have you ever
felt that the Pirates put you in a situation where there was an
unnecessarily high risk of injury?

MR: Not that I can
think of.

BT: Growing up
with a father who played baseball professionally, how did that affect
your baseball development and your life in general? Does he still
have input into your game at this point in your career?

MR: It was great
growing up with a father who played baseball professionally. When I
was a kid, I didn't know how great it was until now. I remember my
friends telling me, “I'm jealous, I wish my dad was a major leaguer
too.” Back then, I was like “what? whatever,” but now I
understand how great it was. My dad still has a lot of input in my
career. He calls me every night after my games to see how I'm doing
and how I feel about the game. He also gives me as much advice as he
can.

BT: Do you have
any information or stories you can tell me about any of your
teammates? Here's your chance to poke fun at someone.

MR: Haha, I wish I
had one in mind right now, but I don't. Sorry.

BT: Are there any
other sports you are good at or enjoy playing other than baseball?

MR: I'm good at
playing basketball and I enjoy watching football

BT: Were you best
basketball player on the Marauders last year?

MR: I believe so,
ya.

BT: Will you be
watching the Superbowl? Can we get a prediction?

MR: Hmmm, I
honestly didn't watch the playoffs, but I think the Ravens are going
to win the Superbowl.